Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The purchase of Twin Cities Memorial Gardens in West Monroe has beencompleted, and in the near future its name will be changed to Kilpatrick'sSerenity Gardens.

Laura Kilpatrick Marchelos, Kilpatrick Funeral Homes president, saidMonday the company has already met with architects and contractors to give "thishalf-century old property a new and exciting face-lift which we will beunveiling over the next 60 to 90 days."

The cemetery was placed in receivership by the state earlier this yearbecause of poor management by former owner Dannie Jackson. Mulhearn FuneralHomes had been running the facility since the state's takeover. Mulhearn has itsown cemetery, Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery, east of Monroe.

The state Attorney General's Office, which represents the LouisianaCemetery Board, placed Twin Cities into receivership in January whileinvestigating complaints over the past several years about poor management andperpetual care and merchandise trusts not being properly funded.

Following a state investigation, Jackson was indicted on 16 counts ofimproper contract for taking money for headstones that he never installed. InFebruary, he pleaded no contest to one count of improper contract for failing toput the money in a trust account as required by law.

Jackson has agreed to ensure that all trust funds be fully funded andto provide a reserve account so Kilpatrick Funeral Homes can fund contracts offamilies that have not been fulfilled.

Kilpatrick Funeral Homes operates businesses in Monroe, West Monroe,Ruston and Farmerville."This has been a dream of ours to add a cemetery toour existing business and to be able to do it where it will benefit thecommunity of West Monroe and Ouachita Parish. It is a perfect fit," Kilpatricksaid.

Following a state attorney general investigation and an audit by LucyMcCann of the Louisiana Cemetery Board and the Kilpatrick staff, KilpatrickFuneral Homes founder Tex Kilpatrick said "that everything is in order at thistime."

He said those with questions should contact Kilpatrick's at 323-9614.He said all records should be ready for review "within the next fewweeks."

Marchelos said people driving by the cemetery will begin to noticeimmediate enhancements such as a general cleanup, a new permanent office, newsignage, updated fencing, lighting and road improvements. "Further improvementswill become evident as we get closer to spring of 2009," she said.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

November 25th and 26th Paul Gates of WAFB wrote a story about a small rural cemetery in West Baton Rouge Parish that likely suffered damage from Hurricane Gustav. It was found by a couple traveling in the area who emailed Mr. Gates about the damaged cemetery near Beuche, Louisiana on River Road. The Assistant Attorney General, Ryan Seideman, the Louisiana Cemetery Board, and both the West Baton Rouge cornoners office and Parish President were on hand to see that the cemetery was cleaned up. You can read more about both articles from Paul Gates here: Family shocked by cemetery destruction and Repair process begins at cemetery with damaged caskets and vaults. It is believed that the destruction found was likely caused by Hurricane Gustav and the owner may be able to get assistance from FEMA. They are still looking for the owner of this cemetery on River Road.

There are very few named cemeteries in West Baton Rouge Parish and even fewer with transcripts available on-line. In fact, Martin Gautier's Louisiana Cemeteries lists several "unknown" cemeteries that have no transcripts, photographs or recognition by USGS. I noted 10 unknown cemeteries at his site where has has listed the GPS of the cemetery. USGS lists cemeteries differently from church cemeteries. Only 10 cemeteries are noted by USGS. USGS lists several churches that may be associated with older cemeteries. Find A Grave notes 39 cemeteries totally in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana where a few more are associated with churches.